A mother-of-three from Biggleswade who bought a salon in November believes the town’s community spirit and her passion for beauty therapy is bound to be a winning combination.

Hazel Clarke – who owns Sapphire Hair and Beauty Academy in Sun Street – is busy planning for a launch night for her business in July, which she hopes will feature a few famous faces from BBC’s The Apprentice, QVC and the beauty industry.

Keeping herself occupied is natural for Hazel, who spends her time at home looking after her three daughters – Sapphire, Crystal and Jade – as well as 14 pets and an allotment.

But Hazel – who hopes to have therapists in all seven of her treatment rooms further down the line – is dedicated to the business which she was drawn to even before her teenage years.

“I have a passion for all things beauty, I always have done,” said Hazel. “I have wanted to be a beauty therapist since the age of 11.

“I grew up in Biggleswade and the town is where my heart is.

“It’s where my friends are and it has a great community spirit.

“So many of the local business have supported us with lots of promotion – right up to when we refurbished the salon.

As well as providing beauty treatment at the salon, Hazel is a qualified teacher of some nine years, and the education offered at her business is a vital component.

“I love my clients and making them feel special. I also love seeing people develop themselves, but most of all I love sharing my knowledge with clients and students alike, whether it is for skincare advice or how to become a therapist, it’s what makes my job worthwhile.

“I enjoy seeing my students develop into amazing therapists – for some students their lives have completely changed because of being in my classes which is an amazing feeling.

“So when Paragon training offered me the opportunity to work alongside them and some of the top educators in the country, providing NVQ accredited courses at the salon, I couldn’t say no.

“I wouldn’t say I’m competitive, but I do like to know if I am doing something that it is being done to the very best of my ability.

“I am very fussy and I expect that from my students also.

“My students understand it is okay to get things wrong but they learn from it and become better.

“I am a qualified life coach also, so I think that helps with encouragement in helping people develop themselves.”

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